PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was special for Jake Guentzel to be back at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday night. For the eight-year veteran it was where he said he grew up with a lot of memories.
It wasn’t his idea to leave.
“My intention was to stay, but they just thought there was a better direction to go a different way,” Guentzel said following a 4-1 loss to the Penguins. “It’s out of my hands. It’s not my choice.”
It’s been a tough last month for Guentzel, dealing with an injury and watching his Penguins team sink in the standings and then just as he was about to return, the 29-year-old was dealt to Carolina.
“You are not really sure what is going to happen, so you are sitting there watching, not being able to help. It’s tough. I got a little bit of a heads up that something was probably going to happen and I soaked in those last days.”
There are fond feelings being back in PPG Paints Arena. He was very appreciative of the tribute video by the Pens and the ovation from the fans. Guentzel said he soaked it in more during warmups and then once the puck drops and after the first shift, it was just hockey.
While not wanting to be traded the reaction when he found out it was the Hurricanes he was headed to?
“I was really excited,” Guentzel said. “They like to play fast and play hard. Playing against them, there is not much ice there. It’s been unbelievable so far, guys are great. They welcomed me in pretty easy here. It’s been a little bit of an adjustment, but it’s good so far.”
“A heck of a player for a while and had some huge moments for this organization,” said teammate and also a former Penguin Jordan Staal. “It was really cool to watch that video. Obviously we are happy to have him on our squad. He’s an amazing player.”
“You watch his game. He finishes on the puck. It’s puck-pressure, great work ethic and obviously he’s got the skill. First and foremost, he’s got the speed and hard on the forecheck and that’s been our identity for a while. He’s fit in pretty well.”
Guentzel said it was fun to play against the team which he helped win a Stanley Cup. He has a lot of friends over in the Pens locker room. He’s a free agent after the season. Would he consider coming back?
“I don’t know,” Guentzel said. “I don’t know. We will see how this year goes, but I really like it in Carolina.”